EP2742228A1

EP2742228A1 - Thrust reverser device

Info

Publication number: EP2742228A1
Application number: EP12744048.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Xavier Bouteiller; Patrick BOILEAU; Peter Segat
Original assignee: Aircelle SA
Current assignee: Safran Nacelles SAS
Priority date: 2011-08-08
Filing date: 2012-07-05
Publication date: 2014-06-18
Also published as: CA2842749A1; CN103732900A; RU2014108514A; US20140154064A1; BR112014002212A2; FR2978990A1; WO2013021110A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a thrust reverser device (100) for a nacelle, including at least: a translatable thrust reverser cowl (30) capable of alternately passing from a closed position, in which the cowl ensures the aerodynamic continuity of the nacelle and covers a flow-diverting means (40, 80), to an open position, in which the cowl opens a passage in the nacelle and uncovers the flow-diverting means (40, 80); a means (40) for diverting the flow through the passage, including a plurality of first cascades (40) distributed over the circumference of the cowl (30) and arranged such that at least a portion of the diverted flow passes through said cascades; and a rear frame (70) supporting a downstream end of at least one cascade (40), the thrust reverser device being characterized in that the rear frame (70) includes at least one extending structure (80) having second cascades (81) that redirect a portion of the diverted flow when the jet of the device is reversed, said structure (80) extending the first cascades (40).

Description

Thrust reversal device

The present invention relates to a thrust reversal device with flow deflection grids.

An airplane is driven by several turbojets each housed in a nacelle housing, also, a set of ancillary actuators related to its operation and providing various functions when the turbojet engine is in operation or stopped.

These auxiliary actuating devices include, in particular, a thrust reversal device.

This nacelle is intended to house a turbofan engine capable of generating by means of blades of a rotating fan a flow of hot air from the combustion chamber of the turbojet engine, and a cold air flow which circulates outside the turbojet engine through an annular vein of cold airflow.

The thrust reversal device is, during landing of the aircraft, intended to improve the braking capacity thereof by redirecting forward of the nacelle at least a portion of the thrust generated by the turbojet engine .

In this phase, the thrust reverser device obstructs the flow of cold air flow and directs the latter upstream of the nacelle, thereby generating a counter-thrust which is added to the braking of the wheels of the aircraft.

In the case of a thrust reverser device with deflection grids, the reorientation of the cold air flow associates a reversing cowl, the deflection grids and, if appropriate, thrust reversing flaps.

The reorientation of the cold air flow is performed by deflection grids associated with the inversion flaps, the hood having a simple sliding function to discover or cover these deflection grids.

Indeed, this hood is movable relative to a fixed structure of the nacelle between, on the one hand, an extended position in which it opens in the nacelle a passage for the flow of deflected air, and on the other hand, a retraction position in which it closes this passage. The inversion flaps, in turn, form locking doors that can be activated by the sliding of the hood causing a closing of the vein downstream of the grids, so as to optimize the reorientation of the cold air flow.

Regarding the grids, they are housed in the hood when the inverter is not actuated, that is to say in the direct jet position.

They are distributed in a plurality of longitudinal segments arranged circumferentially along the periphery of the thrust reverser cover.

Each of these segments includes a plurality of spaced apart deflector vanes extending along the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, which vanes are configured to redirect the flow upstream. of the device when the inverter is in the inverted jet position.

More particularly, each of the deflection grid segments is fixed, at an upstream end to the fixed structure of the nacelle and, more particularly, to a front frame thereof and, at a downstream end to a mounted rear frame, also, on the fixed structure of the nacelle.

Such a rear frame connects the different segments of deflection grids between them and avoids in particular any risk of bending deflection grids.

This rear frame does not participate, in general, the deflection of the air flow.

In recent nacels, especially for reasons of aerodynamic optimization, it is appropriate that the dimensions of the inversion cover are as small as possible.

More particularly, the internal and external aerodynamic lines delimiting the hood are increasingly short and tight: this is particularly critical in the case of large nacelles.

However, this optimization of the dimensions of the hood poses problems for housing the set of deflection grids and rear frame in the inversion cover.

The rear frame, whose presence affects the length of the deflection grid assembly and rear frame, interferes with the aerodynamic lines of the hood. In addition, in order to maintain its role of reinforcing the deflection grids, the thickness of the rear frame can not be reduced indefinitely without the risk of weakening the whole.

The thickness of the rear frame therefore limits the reduction of the hood dimensions and, in particular, its radial thickness.

The present invention is intended to provide a solution for integrating a rear frame thrust reverser device while meeting the requirements for reducing the dimensions of the hood and, more generally, the thrust reverser device,

Another object of the present invention is to provide a thrust reverser device improving the aerodynamic performance of the aircraft propulsion unit.

It is also desirable to provide a thrust reversal device in which the rear frame does not interfere with the aerodynamic lines of the thrust reverser hood while maintaining a maximum deflection grid length, useful in turbojet engines. at high dilution rate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nacelle in which the space available for the deflection gates in the thrust reverser device is optimized.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a thrust reverser device simple to implement and easily reproducible.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a device for thrust reversal of a nacelle comprising at least

a reverse thrust reverser hood movable in translation and capable of alternately passing from a closed position in which it ensures the aerodynamic continuity of the nacelle and covers flow deflection means, to an open position in which he opens a passage in the nacelle and discovers the flow deflection means,

means for deflecting the flow through the passage comprising a plurality of first deflection grids distributed over the circumference of the cover and disposed in such a manner the deviated flow passes, at least in part, through said grids,

a rear frame supporting a downstream end of at least one deflection grid,

the thrust reverser device being remarkable in that the rear frame comprises at least one extension structure provided with second deflection grids which redirect part of the deflected flow when the device is in reverse jet, said structure extending the first grids deviation.

Thanks to the present invention, the rear frame no longer interferes with the external and internal lines of the thrust reverser cover since it is now integrated in the deflection grids, upstream of a rear frame of the prior art.

Indeed, the rear frame being mounted at an intermediate position of the length of the deflection gates in a space of the inversion cover in which the radial thickness of the cover is larger and, no longer downstream of the deflection grids, the rear frame no longer constitutes a brake on the thinning of the downstream portion of the reverse thrust cover.

Furthermore, the rear frame provided with flow deflecting vanes plays an aerodynamic role in the deflection of the flow by the thrust reverser device.

Such a rear frame optimizes the maximum length of the deflection grids and thus participates in improving the aerodynamic performance of the device.

According to particular embodiments of the invention, a device according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in combination technically possible:

the deflection grid extension structure is mounted at the downstream end of the rear frame;

- The rear frame is mounted downstream of a blade further downstream of the first deflection grids; the second deflection grids are disposed on the circumference of the rear frame;

the second deflection grids may be angularly spaced relative to each other and / or contiguous to each other;

- The second deflection grids may extend parallel to the axis of sliding of the cover and / or be oriented obliquely with respect to this axis;

- The second deflection grids can be fixed or movable in translation independently or not of the first upstream deflection grids and / or hood.

- The rear frame is configured to release one or more spaces between the second deflection grids for housing means for actuating and / or guiding the hood; The rear frame and the first plurality of detents comprise complementary locking means.

The invention further relates to a turbofan engine nacelle comprising a thrust reverser device as mentioned above.

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following detailed description, according to the embodiments given as non-limiting examples, and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 a partial sectional view of an embodiment of a thrust reverser device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the thrust reverser device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a set of deflection grids / rear frame of the thrust reverser device of FIG. 2, during assembly;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the deflection grid / rear frame assembly of FIG. 3 assembled; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the deflection grid / rear frame assembly of FIG. 3 mounted on a fixed structure of the thrust reverser device according to the present invention. The terms upstream and downstream used hereafter are defined with respect to the direction of the flow passing through the thrust reverser device.

With reference to FIG. 1, which illustrates a downstream section of a nacelle, an external structure 10 is observed comprising a thrust reverser device 100 and an internal structure (not shown) of a motor fairing defining with the external structure 10 a vein 1 for the circulation of a cold stream, in the case of a nacelle turbojet turbofan as presented here.

The thrust reverser device 100 illustrated in this figure is an inverter with deflection gates of the cold flow.

This device 1 00 comprises a movable cover 30 mounted in translation, in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the nacelle, relative to a fixed structure of the nacelle comprising at least one front frame 20.

This cover 30 is also extended by at least one ejection nozzle section 60 for channeling the ejection of the cold flow, mounted at a downstream end of said cover 30.

More specifically, the cap 30 comprises an outer shell 31 and an inner shell 32 which is in continuity with the front frame 20 and is intended to delimit, in a direct jet position of the turbojet engine, an external wall of the vein 1 in which flows the cold flow.

Conventionally, the hood 30 is able to pass alternately from a closed position in which it ensures the aerodynamic continuity of the nacelle with the front frame 20 and covers first deflection grids 40, to an open position, in downstream of the nacelle, in which it opens a passage in the nacel and discovers the first deflection grids 40. Figure 1 illustrates the cover 30 in the closed position.

In its open position, the cover 30 allows the flow of the turbojet to escape at least partially, this portion of flow being redirected upstream of the nacelle, in particular by the first gates of deviation 40 discoveries, thereby generating a counter-thrust capable of aiding braking of the aircraft.

In one embodiment of the thrust reverser device 100, in order to increase the flow portion passing through the deflection grids, the inner shroud 32 of the cover 30 may comprise a plurality of inversion flaps 33, distributed around its circumference. and mounted, each pivoting at one end about an axis of articulation, on the sliding cowl, between a retracted position in which the flap 34 closes the opening and ensures the internal aerodynamic continuity of the vein 1 with the frame before 20 and an extended position in which, in reverse thrust situation, it at least partially closes the vein 1 in order to deflect the cold flow to the grids 40.

With regard to the first deflection grids 40, referred to as upstream deflection grids of the thrust reverser device 100, the latter deflect the cold stream of the vein 1 through the passage or inversion well discovered after a translation downstream of the hood. 30.

As it shines in Figures 1 or 2, they are housed in the thickness of the cover 30 in a housing defined by the outer ring 31 and inner 32 of the cover 30.

These upstream deflection grids 40 of the thrust reverser device 100 are arranged circumferentially along the periphery of the cover 30 facing the reversing well so that the deflected flow passes, at least in part, through them.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, these upstream deflection grids 40 are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle which also corresponds to the axis of displacement of the hood 30.

In an alternative embodiment, however, they may be oblique with respect to these axes.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 or 5, in one embodiment of the invention, these upstream deflection grids 40 are fixed with respect to the fixed structure of the nacelle and, more particularly, with respect to the frame. before 20 and with respect to the upper and lower longitudinal beams (not shown) of the fixed structure. In an alternative embodiment, they may, however, be movable in translation along the longitudinal axis of the nacelle with the cover 30 and / or the nozzle 60 or independently of the latter.

They can thus be housed, in a retracted position, partly in the thickness of the cover 30 when the latter is in the closed position and partly in the thickness of the median section of the nacelle (or fixed structure) and , slide downstream of the nacelle, in an extended position, in the inversion well, during the thrust reversal.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, conventionally, each upstream deflection grid 40 is in the form of one or more longitudinal segments 41 having an arcuate section, this segment being formed of axial deflector vanes 42. and lateral supports 43 forming support frame for these vanes 42.

The flux deflecting vanes 42 are of the curved fin type, spaced along the segment 41 and, in this embodiment, along the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, these fins being adapted to redirect the flow upstream of the nacelle. device for realizing the inversion of thrust when the latter in the inverted jet position.

In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the figures, each upstream grid 40 is composed of two series of identical identical blades 42 placed between three parallel lateral supports 43.

The upstream deflection grids 40 may be contiguous to each other (illustrated in particular in FIG. 3) and / or angularly spaced relative to one another (illustrated in particular in FIG. 4) so as to provide a gap 44 allowing the passage means for actuating and guiding the hood 30 such as cylinders 50 (illustrated in FIG. 5) and / or rail / slide assemblies, depending on the position of the grilles 41.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, each of the upstream deflection grids 40 may be fixed, at its upstream end, removably by means adapted to the fixed structure of the nacelle and, more particularly, to a structural element of the front frame 20. and at its downstream end, by means adapted to a rear frame 70, itself housed in the thickness of the cover 30.

This rear frame 70 fixes the different upstream deflection grids 40 between them. It is a reinforcement to limit the risk of bending or twisting the upstream deflection grids 40.

According to the invention, this rear frame 70 has an aerodynamic role and, more particularly, participates in the deflection of the flow, during the thrust reversal.

More specifically, it is extended, at its downstream end, by an extension structure 80 provided with at least one deflection gate 81, called a downstream deflection gate, adapted in a manner similar to the first upstream deflection grids 40 to redirect a part of the deflected flow when the device 100 is in the inverted jet position.

The above-mentioned deflection ducts 81 are formed in the extension of the upstream deflection grids 40.

Thus, the rear frame 70 provided with downstream deflection gratings 81 and the upstream deflection grids 40 form, with the thrust reverser flaps 34, if appropriate or any other means of blocking the flow, the set of deflection means flow during a thrust reversal.

The rear frame 70 is mounted downstream of the vane 42 furthest downstream of the upstream deflection grates 40.

The rear frame 70 is thus mounted at an intermediate position of the length of the deflection grids 40, 80 in a space of the inverting cover 30 in which the radial thickness of the cover 30 is greater than in the prior art. where it was located at the downstream end of the deflection grids dasn the narrow junction zone between the outer ferrules 31 and intern 32 of the cap 30 and no longer downstream of the set of deflection grids.

Advantageously, it no longer interferes with the downstream ends of the outer and inner cowlings 31 of the hood 30 to the extent that it is integrated or embedded henceforth, in the deflection grids 40, 81, upstream of a rear frame of the prior art.

Such a rear frame 70 optimizes the maximum length of the deflection grill 40,81 and thus participates in improving the aerodynamic performance of the thrust reverser device 100.

More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5, the rear frame 70 has substantially an inverted C profile whose concavity is directed towards the first upstream deflection grids 40, extended by a longitudinal extension structure 80.

The upstream part of the rear frame 70 and, in particular this concavity, interfaces with the upstream deflection grids 40 and, more particularly, the blade 42 which is the most downstream of these grids 40.

The downstream part of this rear frame 70 is formed by the grid extension structure 80.

This rear frame 70 may be made by an entire ring or a plurality of ring sections attached to each other to form a continuous structure.

More particularly, with regard to the extension structure 80, it comprises, in a manner similar to the upstream flow deflection grids 40, a plurality of deflection grilles 81, each formed of one or more longitudinal segments 83 formed from the longitudinally spaced flange means 82 and lateral supports supporting said blades 82.

The flux deflector blades 82 are also of the curved blade type, spaced along the segments 83 and, in this embodiment, along the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, these fins being adapted to redirect the flow towards the liner. upstream of the device for performing the thrust reversal when the latter in the inverted jet position.

The downstream deflection grates 81 are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle. In an alternative embodiment, they may, however, be oriented obliquely with respect to this axis and / or that of sliding of the cover 30.

Similar to the upstream flow deflection grates 40, the downstream deflection grates 81 of the rear frame 70 may be angularly spaced relative to each other or contiguous along the circumference of the rear frame 70.

When a space 84 is formed between two adjacent deflection gears 80, the grids 80 are joined by a ring portion 71 of the rear frame 70 configured to allow the passage of the actuating and guiding means of the hood 30 such the cylinders 50 (illustrated in FIG. 5) and / or rail / slide assemblies, depending on the position of the gates upstream 40 and downstream 80 while ensuring the continuity of the rear frame 70 on its circumference.

It is thus possible to slide the cover 30 downstream (reverse jet position) or upstream (direct jet position) of the nacelle.

Furthermore, the rear frame and the extension structure may be fixed relative to the fixed structure of the nacelle or movable in translation along the longitudinal axis of the nacelle downstream of the nacelle and vice versa, regardless of whether or not the first upstream deflection grids 40, of the hood

30 and / or the nozzle 60.

Moreover, FIGS. 3 to 5 show that the downstream deflection gratings 81 have neither the same length as the downstream deflection grids 40 nor the same number of segments 41, 83 nor the same angular dimensions of the vanes. deflectors 42,82.

In this example, the deflection grids 80 of the rear frame 70 each have a single series of blades 82 which extend angularly over a distance identical to that of two series of adjoining vanes 42 of an upstream deflection grid. 40.

This is an illustrative non-limiting example of the invention and embodiments may provide upstream and downstream deflection gates 40 identical or not 81.

Referring to Figure 4, the rear frame 70 is also configured to be mounted and fixed on the upper and lower beams (not shown) where appropriate of the fixed structure, connecting it to a suspension tower of the turbojet engine.

It can include, thus, any fastener adapted to this assembly.

In a nonlimiting example illustrated in the figure, two attachment screeds 72 have been made to cooperate with complementary means provided on the beams (not shown) of the fixed structure of the nacelle.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3, concerning the interface between the downstream end of the upstream deflection grids 40 and the upstream end of the rear frame 70, any means for fixing the grids 40 and the rear frame 70 may be considered. In the illustrated example, the upstream deflection grids 40 and the rear frame 70 are provided with complementary latching means. Thus, the upstream deflection grids 40 are provided with a flange 45 whose shape and dimensions are adapted to fit into the concavity of the upstream end of the rear frame 70 and snap into it.

In alternative embodiments, it is also possible to provide any other attachment such as, for example, standard fasteners of the screwing means type.

Furthermore, the rear frame 70 and the associated grid extension structure 80 may be formed of composite material and / or metal or metal alloy.

With a thrust reverser device 100 according to the invention, during a thrust reversal, the cover 30 slides downstream of the platform in the open position, revealing Jors of its displacement, in the first place the grids upstream deflection 40 and then the rear frame 80 and its downstream deflection grids 80.

The flaps 34, if necessary, pivot in the closed position of the vein 1 so as to deflect the cold flow to all upstream deflection grids 40 and downstream 81, forming an inverted flow guided upstream of the nacelle by the grids 40,81.

In the light of the prior art, a thrust reverser device 100 according to the invention makes it possible, in particular, to have a rear frame 70 supporting deflection grids 40, 81 in a device whose aerodynamic hood lines 30 are reduced while maintaining a maximum deflection gate length 40.81, thus ensuring to promote an increase in the passage section of air flow in the vein 1.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of this thrust reverser device, described above as examples, but it encompasses all variants.

Claims

1. Apparatus for inverting a pouch (1 00) of a nacelle comprising at least:

a cover (30) of reversal of thrust movable in translation and able to pass alternately from a closed position in which it ensures the aerodynamic continuity of the nacelle and covers means of deflection (40,80) of flow, to a opening position in which it opens a passage in the nacelle and discovers the flow deflection means (40,80),

flow deflecting means (40) through the passage comprising a plurality of first deflection grids (40) distributed over the circumference of the hood (30) and disposed in such a manner that the deflected flow passes, at least in part, through said grids, when the device is in inverted jet, - a rear frame (70) supporting a downstream end of at least one deflection grid (40),

the thrust reverser device being characterized in that the rear frame (70) comprises at least one extension structure (80) provided with second deflection grids (81) which redirect a portion of the deflected flow when the device is in position. inverted jet, said structure (80) extending the first deflection grids (40).

2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the extension structure (80) of deflection grids is mounted at the downstream end of the rear frame (70).

3. Device according to une of the preceding revendications characterized in that the rear frame (70) is mounted downstream of a blade (42) furthest downstream of the first deflection grids (40).

4. Device according to une of the preceding revendications characterized in that the second deflection grids (81) are disposed on the circumference of the rear frame.

5. Device according to one of the preceding revendications characterized in that the second deflection grids (81) can be spaced angularly relative to each other and / or contiguous to each other.

6. Device according to one of the preceding ications characterized in that the second deflection grids (81) can extend parallel to a sliding axis of the cover (30) and / or be oriented obliquely with respect to this axis.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the second deflection grids can be:

- fixed or

- Movable in translation independently or not the first deflection grids (40) and / or the cover (30) during its movements between its closed position and opening.

8. Device according to one of the preceding revendications characterized in that the rear frame (70) is configured to release one or more spaces (84) between the second deflection grids (81) for accommodating actuating means (50) and / or guiding the hood.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the rear frame (70) and the first deflection grids

(40) comprise complementary latching means.

10. Nacel de tu rboréacteur r double fl ux com u a thrust reverser device according to one of claims 1 to 9.